News and reports from the State Department.

Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Roger Carstens, is set to visit Doha, Qatar from May 20 to 22. The purpose of his visit includes delivering remarks and participating in a panel discussion titled "The Impacts of Hostage-Taking by State and Non-State Actors" at the Global Security Forum.

Spokesperson Matthew Miller announced that Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino in Washington, D.C. The meeting served to reaffirm the strength of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Argentina and to explore ways in which the two nations can enhance cooperation for a safer, more democratic hemisphere.

A State Department spokesperson has confirmed to Federal Newswire that the Department is monitoring the case of Tigran Gambaryan, an American citizen and former federal agent detained in Nigeria since February 26 and are providing all appropriate assistance. The spokesperson’s comments were provided May 15 following Deputy Secretary Kurt Campell’s meeting in Washington, D.C. with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar.

Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel J. Kritenbrink, is set to travel to Manila, Philippines from May 20-21 to participate in the sixth Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF). This forum is recognized as the premier U.S.-sponsored business event in the region.

On May 17, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a statement commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia. This annual event serves as a moment to reflect on the violence and discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals face globally and reasserts a commitment to counter these injustices.

On May 17, 2024, Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino gathered in Washington D.C. to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on a Framework of Understanding between the United States and Argentina. The signing aimed to establish a high-level strategic dialogue between the two nations.

Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, Liz Allen, met with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric today in Belgrade, Serbia. Allen extended her congratulations to the Foreign Minister on his recent appointment. The two dignitaries concurred on the significance of fortifying the U.S.-Serbia bilateral relationship and hastening Serbia's progress toward EU accession.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a conversation with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, as reported by Spokesperson Matthew Miller. The discussion emphasized the unshakeable U.S.-ROK Alliance and the significance of close bilateral cooperation on global issues.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken held a meeting with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf M. Tuggar in Washington on May 17, 2024. This information was disclosed by Spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, is set to visit Astana, Kazakhstan and Tashkent, Uzbekistan from May 19-23. The purpose of her visit is to engage on issues concerning democratic governance and rule of law; human rights and protection of vulnerable populations; and religious freedom.

Secretary Blinken is set to deliver remarks at a gala honoring the United States Foreign Service on Tuesday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m. in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the U.S. Department of State. The Director General of the Foreign Service, Marcia S. Bernicat, will also deliver remarks and co-host the gala with the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), which is the professional association of the Foreign Service. AFSA’s president, Tom Yazdgerdi, will MC the event.

Today marks the 29th anniversary of the abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). As one of the most significant figures in Tibetan Buddhism, his disappearance as a six-year-old child continues to resonate deeply within the Tibetan community. Despite numerous calls for transparency, Nyima has not been seen in public since his abduction and access to him has been consistently denied by the PRC government. Instead, a state-selected proxy is promoted as an alternative.

Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, Ramin Toloui, recently completed a diplomatic tour from April 22 to May 3. His journey spanned Japan, the Republic of Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, California, and New York. The objective of his travel was to bolster bilateral relationships and promote trade and economic opportunities with these nations.

The recent engagements between the United States and Nigeria underscore the importance of their partnership, as they represent two of the world's most populous presidential democracies. Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell and Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf M. Tuggar have been instrumental in advancing mutual economic, governance, and security priorities. These efforts were particularly evident during the April 29-30 U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission in Abuja, the 16th U.S.-Africa Business Summit from May 6-9 in Dallas, Texas, and Foreign Minister Tuggar’s May 14-17 visit to...

The United States has imposed sanctions on five Russia-based individuals and entities, alleging their involvement in the transfer of military equipment and components between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Russian Federation. This move is seen as a violation of the UN arms embargo on the DPRK. The US asserts that Russia has increasingly relied upon the DPRK for munitions to wage its war on Ukraine, using dozens of DPRK-supplied ballistic missiles against Ukrainian targets.